In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. For people who are being saved, this perfume has a sweet smell and leads them to a better life....- 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 CEV
Perfumes. Who doesn't like them? There may be exceptions to the rule but even those who may not wear perfume because of sensitivity to fragrance may still approve of it on others. A sweet smell wil always be sweet, agreeable and desirable.
Can our life or person be like perfume? It can be, indeed! Anytime that we do that which is desirable, noble and is not pungent with selfishness, we're like perfume.
If we have successfully forgiven those who have offended us, we're like perfume (2 Cor 2:7). If we have love for one another, we are like perfume (2 Cor 2:8). If we can be God's messenger of good news for those who are being saved we're like perfume (2 Cor 2:15). If we can do the former without profiting from our effort, then we're like perfume (2 Cor 2:17). And who can do these things well? Those who have been transformed and enabled by God, for only Christ can lead us to victory and success of the kind that God approves the most (2 Cor 2:14).
Success is a sweet thing. But by what measure do we decide if we have lived a successful life? Is to be the best in our career success? Is having a happy and fulfilled life success? Is success a state of emotion, a state of mind or a state of things? Can money be used to measure success? Can influence and power?
People applaud success, whatever their conception of its measure. There's nothing wrong with being successful, as long as it is the right kind. A band of robbers can be successful with their latest heist but that will be deplorable in the eyes of decent people. An angry man can successfully kill his long time enemy but that only highlights what's very wrong with humanity.
God wants us to be successful but in a way that our success will be like a fragrant perfume in the eyes of men and in His own. Let us strive then for that sweet smell, of life and of character that is approved here on earth and also in heaven. Without learning to truly love and forgive, we can't have it, neither can we be messengers of it.
